Lung Cancer
About Lung Cancer
Lung cancer is the second most common cancer in both men and women in the United States and remains the leading cause of cancer death, accounting for about 1 in 5 cancer-related deaths, according to the American Cancer Society. In 2026, an estimated 229,410 people will be diagnosed with lung cancer, most of them age 65 or older, though cases and death rates continue to decline thanks to reduced smoking and advances in early detection. Common symptoms include a persistent or worsening cough, coughing up blood or rust-colored sputum, chest pain, hoarseness, shortness of breath, unexplained weight loss, loss of appetite, new wheezing, fatigue, and recurring infections such as bronchitis or pneumonia. If you’re experiencing any of these symptoms, contact your primary care provider right away, as early evaluation is key to timely diagnosis and treatment.
Lung Cancer Screening
Low-dose CT (LDCT) lung cancer screening uses a fast, low‑radiation scan to detect early signs of lung cancer in high-risk individuals. It’s recommended for adults ages 50–77 (or up to 80 with some insurers) who have a significant smoking history and currently smoke or quit within the past 15 years. If you qualify, your primary care provider can help you schedule this quick, painless test that can find cancer at its most treatable stage.
Incidental Lung Nodule Program
Highpoint Health’s lung cancer program is committed to finding better, faster ways to detect and diagnose lung cancer. Our team of experts is using new software to track patients with lung nodules and a new robot to provide minimally invasive biopsies. These technologies are designed to improve patient care and outcomes.
Catching lung cancer early improves the chances of survival and even curing the cancer.
National studies show that about a third of all CT scans reveal an incidental finding. Because of this, the Incidental Lung Nodule Program was developed to identify patients with incidental nodules through artificial intelligence software.
The Incidental Lung Nodule Program uses software to scan all CT scan reports from patients. It flags predefined keywords, such as nodule, mass and lesion, to help identify patients with potential lung nodules.
The multidisciplinary team of surgeons, pulmonologists and radiologists review imaging for each patient.
Then, the team develops a plan that could include recommendations for additional CT scans, a biopsy or a consult with pulmonary medicine.
If a nodule is determined to be cancer, our team will help guide patients through the cancer treatment process and coordinate care.
A Multidisciplinary Care Team Approach
- If a lung nodule is picked up during a CT scan, a software system will alert the lung nodule team.
- Patients who need evaluation by the nodule clinic will be offered an appointment.
- A pulmonary specialist will evaluate them, and a plan will be established according to guidelines, including a wide variety of diagnostic and treatment options depending on the characteristics of the nodule.
ION Robotic Bronchoscopy
If you have been diagnosed with a suspicious lung nodule or mass, additional screenings should be part of your next steps. You may be referred to a pulmonary specialist to determine if the nodule or mass is benign or cancerous.
The ION Endoluminal System is a robotic-assisted bronchoscopy platform made by Intuitive. Highpoint Health – Sumner with Ascension Saint Thomas is the only hospital in Sumner County, TN, to use this advanced technology to help biopsy nodules, even those deep inside the lungs.
Your physician will guide an ultra-thin catheter through your airway to the area of your lung for biopsy. The catheter provides more stability, maneuverability in the lungs, greater precision and an enhanced view for your physician compared to traditional bronchoscopy techniques.
For patients, this means your provider can biopsy nodules previously inaccessible and may catch cancer at earlier stages, resulting in improved outcomes and survival rates.
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